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Year: 2024

Merrill Fire Department Report Week Ending July 28

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 37 calls last week, bringing the total for 2024 to 1265 calls. There were 2 motor vehicle accidents that resulted in injuries. There were 31 calls requesting EMS services, excluding the 2 accidents that resulted in injuries. The department responded to a call regarding a transformer fire, involving a downed power line that also caused a gas leak. As a result of the prompt response from local first responders and Wisconsin Public Service, the effects from the downed wires and the gas…

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Wisconsin’s Glam Band Performs at Merrill’s Gazebo Nights At Normal Park

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Local residents were rockin’ to the 80’s in Merrill on Thursday evening July 25th, as Wisconsin’s Glam Band was in town to entertain the crowd of thousands. Normal Park was packed from corner to corner with hair metal band lovers from around the state, as 80’s music lovers sang and danced along with the likes of “JUMP”, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Fight For Your Right”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “Sister Christian”. Band member Dee Flatt (Dave Schepp) briefly exited the stage (Normal Park’s Gazebo) and traveled through…

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Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Report Week Ending July 21

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 59 traffic stops last week. During one stop, a deputy on patrol observed a vehicle leaving a Kwik Trip on East Main St in Merrill, that he recognized as a vehicle of interest by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office for involvement in a shoplifting case. Upon locating the items that had been stolen in the vehicle, the alleged subject was transported to the Oneida County line where she was turned over to the investigating deputy. There were 26 security checks. Deputies responded…

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Merrill Police Department Report Week Ending July 21

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 10 incidents last week. Four calls were received for disorderly conduct and property damage, one of those involving public intoxication where the male subject was arrested immediately for bail jumping. He was in violation of open bond conditions. There was one report of a fire involving an ATV.  One call was received for theft of a fishing pole, where a male suspect who had been drinking had an open bond with absolute sobriety. He was taken into custody. There was one call…

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Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Tours Three Merrill Businesses

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Wednesday July 24th, The City of Merrill welcomed Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodgriguez for tours of the Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Sierra Pacific Windows and Brickner’s Park City. Each tour offered an opportunity for those companies to present the history, growth and future outlook for their organization, and to showcase their facilities. A question-and-answer session was held with the Lieutenant Governor at the end of each tour. Topics of discussion included recruitment and hiring challenges in the current workforce environment, affordable housing opportunities for workers, and difficulties with finding reputable childcare for…

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MAPS Hires Nate Lemmens As New Associate Middle School Principal

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Merrill Area Public Schools has announced that they have hired Nate Lemmens as their new Associate Principal at Prairie River Middle School. Lemmens replaces Diane Goetsch, who retired following the 2023-24 school year. Nate’s resume includes 12 years teaching special education. He taught one year at Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee before heading to Wausau West High School for the last 11 years to serve as the head of their Boys basketball program and to teach special education. He also served as the department’s chair for the past…

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Monday July 22nd Storms Cause Transformer Fire, Gas Leak In Merrill

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to a 911 call regarding a transformer fire that resulted from storms that blew through the area on Monday evening, July 22nd. The fire, which was located between 8th and 9th Streets in the alley way between Cedar and Elm, caused power outages to numerous customers on Merrill’s north side. MFD Engine 61 and two EMS units were dispatched to the scene @ 6:15 PM. There were multiple downed wires which caused a gas leak upon making contact with the ground. As a…

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Live Well Lincoln Leadership Team July 12 Meeting Summary

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Live Well Lincoln Leadership Team met on Friday, July 12th. Discussion took place regarding the Board of Health decision to forego purchasing Credible Minds, a mental health ecosystem software platform. Additionally, Department member Shelley Hersil proposed that notifying the community of upcoming special events could be accomplished by holding another partner meeting in the future. She stated the goal would be to increase social connections. The Leadership Team is scheduled to meet again on October 4th, 2024.

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Lincoln County Board of Health July 12 Meeting Summary

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Lincoln County’s Board of Health held their monthly meeting on Friday, July 12. A motion to approve authorization for Public Health Nurse’s classification from Grade H to Grade K was carried with a unanimous vote. The resulting increase in salary will be funded by grants through 2027. Board Member Kay Kissinger Wolf also offered comment at the meeting stemming from her review of the Board of Health orientation information, specific to prioritization of mental health in the community. Wolf expressed her disappointment that the Credible Minds program…

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Lincoln County to be Awarded Funds from National Opioid Settlement

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – During Tuesday’s County Board Meeting, Lincoln County Corporation Counsel Karry Johnson shared with supervisors that Lincoln County will be one of the recipients of a small payment as a result of their participation in a larger nationwide class action settlement related to opioids. The payment, which is estimated to be in the range of $50,000 is a part of a larger settlement of around $1.2B. County Supervisors were given the option to opt out of the settlement and pursue independent litigation, however following brief discussion the decision…

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